Wednesday, February 1, 2012

We’ve all seen cellulite before, haven’t we? Those trashy magazines on display in the supermarket checkout lane commonly display photographic evidence of its presence on celebrity figures for all the world to see…and this can mortify us! After all, if the “beautiful people” in our world can’t answer the question, Is it possible to get rid of cellulite, what chances do we ordinary people have to prevent or get rid of it? Not much, it seems.

Virtually every woman either has or will develop visible cellulite…pockets of fat the body stores just below skin surface in trouble areas. It’s genetic...it’s hormonal...it’s an unpleasant fact of life. So the question on the lips of cellulite sufferers everywhere is fairly straightforward.

Is it possible to get rid of cellulite? Before answering that query, it may be helpful to discuss what cellulite is, where and how it forms, who experiences it and why some people get it while others do not.

The prevailing medical and scientific views on cellulite suggest it is caused by an overabundance of certain female hormones, as well as fluctuating levels of insulin, which is the hormone responsible for converting dietary sugar into fat. One interesting view postulates the formation of cellulite as natural ensurance for survival of our species. The healthy female human body guarantees enough body fat to support a full term pregnancy and adequate milk production for her offspring during infancy!

Therefore the question - is it possible to get rid of cellulite – becomes a different one – is it possible to prevent a naturally occuring event designed to preserve humanity? When one looks at it in those terms, cellulite can be considered a positive trait rather than a negative one. Sadly, few of us can make this transition in cosmetic philosophy.

A scourge to most women, cellulite fat forms just beneath skin surface in honeycomb shaped compartments composed of septae. These stringy tissues adhere skin to underlying muscle tissue. The strange ‘orange peel’ effect is caused when fat pushes around septae and against the skin’s surface. Skin and septae are composed of collagen and elastin, among other things. While it is true that as we become older, our bodies produce less of these two proteins, cellulite is considered a hormonal development because men rarely develop it.

Male septae form into webs, which separate subcutaneous fat away from skin’s surface. However, if there is enough body fat present, or if a man experiences abnormal levels of gender-specific hormones, he too may develop cellulite.

Massage therapy does seem to temporarily lessen the visibility of cellulite. This type of treatment is available at some beauty salons, as well as non-traditional health care and chiropractic clinics. Another technique which claims to remove cellulite, is liposuction surgery. This is major invasive surgery, performed by a plastic surgeon or surgically trained dermatologist under general anesthesia. It is quite expensive, and there are no guarantees that it will improve your appearance. In fact, many clients who’ve undergone liposuction have reported looking worse after liposuction than they did before!

The same can be said about abdomenoplasty, commonly referred to as a tummy tuck. A procedure known as mesotherapy injects chemicals into fat cells with the intent of breaking these up. These procedures are very expensive; while they work well for some folks, these methods don't work at all for others Even when they do work, results are not visible until inflammation disappears. This may take 6 weeks or longer.

The best treatments for cellulite fat address the primary underlying cause which is too much body fat. Therefore, the number one best, most effective, and perhaps even the quickest way to get rid of it is to lower body fat percentages by losing weight. To do this one must adhere to a healthy diet and exercize program. This will take several months to produce results, and a lifetime to maintain them. Your plan should be realistic. Consult your doctor for help in determining a healthy lifestyle system that is designed specifically for you. Starving yourself will not improve anything, let alone your appearance.

Eat three balanced meals and three small but nutritional snacks at regular intervals throughout your day. Drink plenty of natural, clean water to help you system eliminate toxins and wastes that may otherwise contribute to the appearance of cellulite. Practice moderation in all areas of your life. Eat wholesome, natural foods full of all the vitamins and minerals your body needs to maintain health. Avoid processed foods high in sugar, saturated fat, starchy carbohydrates or excess sodium. Exercise regularly with cardiovascular activity, non aerobic stretching exercises and muscle strengthening resistance training. Get plenty of sleep. In other words, take good care of yourself, and soon, cellulite will become one of your more trivial concerns!

If you're wondering how to get rid of those tell tale dimples and orange peel skin that are the tell tale signs of cellulite; if you are too embarrassed to wear a swimsuit in public, let alone display all that skin at the beach or swimming pool; if you long to regain the perfectly smooth appearance your skin once had; what you need is to find the best treatments for cellulite removal, as soon as possible! Fortunately, you have no further to look than this article, which will provide you with some good information. Here are five favorite remedies for cellulite removal!

Drink Lots of Water!

One known cause of cellulite is fluid retention within the fat cells. You might not think that one of the best treatments for cellulite to reduce water retention is to drink more water, but it works! The reason is this...when you don't consume enough liquids in the form of juices, milk and water, your body goes into conservation mode, and your cells absorb as much fluid as they can hold. This can cause or worsen the appearance of cellulite. By drinking more water, you will stimulate your body's ability to flush waste and toxins out of cellulite cells, causing them to shrink. Your body needs to ingest approximately 64 oz (or 8 cups of water) per day to maintain optimum health.

Eat Lots of Fruits & Vegetables

Not only do they provide the body with plenty of fiber and nutrients, fruits and vegetables also contain a lot of water, which as we now know, aids the body to eliminate toxins and waste. Filling up with natural foods high in fiber will also help you manage your weight more effectively. Also consume plenty of protein from lean meat or plant sources. This would include cold water fish, which are high in omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants. By providing your body with more nutrients and less junk you will help it gear up to burn off excess fat.

Start an Exercise Program

Reducing overall body fat and the appearance of cellulite requires more than watching what you eat. Moderate exercise for at least 45 minutes a day, six days a week is one of the best treatments for cellulite that will augment your diet, help you lose cellulite fat and boost your energy levels as well! Cardiovascular exercise such as walking, running, and aerobics will strengthen your heart and burn off the energy stored in your fat cells. You can walk briskly each day and build from 15 to 45 minutes in a few weeks. Stretching and toning can also be done every day. Strengthen training is best done by alternating between major muscle groups 6 days a week, and resting your muscles once a week.

Bathe With Herbal Soaks

Herbal baths are another of the best treatments for cellulite that work well for releasing toxins from the cells, while improving overall circulation. You can whip up an herbal bath additive by steeping ¼ cup of herbs 6 cups of very hot water. Add equal parts of lavender, lemon peel, juniper berries, rosemary and seaweed or kelp and let seep until the water cools slightly. Then add 3 -4 drops each of rosemary, juniper,and lemon essential oils. Pour this infusion into a very warm bath and soak for 20 minutes. You can also add ½ cup of epsom salts to draw out impurities from your skin.

Use Anti Cellulite Creams

There are several good anti-cellulite products that can help reduce puffiness to make your skin look smoother by minimizing the appearance of cellulite. Green tea, caffeine and citrus extracts are popular active ingredients in many effective anti-cellulite creams and lotions. Some other effective active ingredients used in these products include natural moisturizers ans well as retinoids, copper peptides, alpha hydroxy acid, l carnitine and lotus extract, to name a few. For best results, massage your favorite anti-cellulite product thoroughly into skin at least once a day at bedtime, and whenever you want to reduce the appearance of cellulite!

For women of all ages, cellulite fat is the bane of humanity's feminine existence. At least 85 % of all women have or will develop cellulite at some point in their lives, unless they take preventative measures.

There are just a few causes of cellulite, the most predominant one being genetics. There's no way to avoid that. But the other factors include excess body fat, water retention, lack of proper nutrition, lack of exercise, consuming too much sugar, salt, fat, and processed foods as well as artificial additives, preservatives and toxins. Those causes can be controlled and even neutralized by living a healthy lifestyle through following a few simple steps, which will help with how to prevent cellulite in the first place!

Step One ~ Eat Right

Diet is a four letter word, so let's not use it. Nevertheless, the first step in how to prevent cellulite is to follow a healthy meal plan. Fill your plate with good, tasty, wholesome and nutritious natural foods.

Eat lots of leafy green vegetables, colorful citrus fruit and berries, melons, lean meat & vegetable protein, whole grains; and use olive oil instead of margarine or corn oil for cooking.. Eat three medium size meals and three small snacks throughout the day to avoid feeling hungry or deprived.

Step Two ~ Drink Plenty of Water

Virtually every medical practitioner, nutritionist and homeopathic practicioner will tell you it is of paramount importance to consume plenty of fresh, clean and pure water every day. Drinking water is an easy and beneficial method of how to prevent cellulite while contributing to your overall health. Water flushes toxins from your body while it hydrates skin, muscles and organs.

Plan to drink at least two liters of water a day. That's two quarts, four pints or eight cups. If you are physically active, pregnant, sick, or if you work in a hot environment, increase your water intake accordingly. Keep a bottle of water nearby and sip throughout the day to curb hunger and prevent cellulite.

Step Three ~ Get Plenty of Exercise

An effective method for how to prevent cellulite is to exercise regularly. But don't get stuck in a rut. There are basically three types of exercise that work together to achieve physical fitness and smooth, cellulite free skin.

Cardiovascular exercises increase heart rate, and circulation while burning off excess fat. Anarobic exercise such as weightlifting strengthens and tones muscles, so to burn more fat. Breathing, stretching and toning exercises improve muscle tone, increase your stamina and – you guessed it - burn more fat! Following these first three steps will give you control over your weight and body mass fat index, two influential factors in how to prevent cellulite.

Step Four ~ Limit Sodium, Sugar, and Artificial Additives

Excess dietary salt leads to fluid retention, inflammation, high blood pressure and bloated cellulite fat cells. So don't add extra salt to your food The same goes for processed sugars, artificial coloring, flavoring or sweeteners. Fructose, the complex sugar in fruit, is okay. Small amounts of honey may be okay, but consult your doctor if you are diabetic.

If you find that your food is too bland without salt, try lemon pepper seasoning spice, or condensed lemon juice for a really zesty flavor sensation. Other natural herbs, such as sage, oregano, parsley, onions, and can also be used to flavor your food healthfully.

Step Five ~ Take Care of All Your Skin

Almost Every woman knows the importance of a good skin care regimen, but you would be surprised at how many of them don't think to apply the principals they use on facial skin care to the rest of the human body.

Protect all your skin from sun damage and excess dryness that could contribute to cellulite development. Use natural remedies and high quality skin care products to moisturize and protect this vital organ by keeping it strong, resilient and resistant to the appearance of cellulite fat.

Cleanse your skin with gentle bathing gels, not harsh soap that can dry and weaken your skin. Use natural ingredients like aloe vera gel, jojoba oil and cocoa butter to moisturize and protect your skin on a regular basis.

Look for products containing alpha hydroxy acids, retinol, vitamins A and E, coenzymes, L carnitine, peptides, amino acids or topical caffeine. You don't have to buy the most expensive products, just get the one with the most effective active ingredients like the ones listed here.